An auxiliary Derby police officer who works for the city of Ansonia’s Public Works Department was charged with drunken driving after crashing into an Ansonia house late Saturday, according to police.
Ansonia Police Lt. Andrew Cota said Robert Caruso, 51, of Crestwood Road, faces charges of operating under the influence, failure to obey a stop sign, failure to drive right, traveling unreasonably fast, and carrying firearm while under the influence in connection to the crash, which was reported about 11:10 p.m. Saturday at the corner of Beaver Street and Myrtle Avenue.
Caruso posted $1,000 bond in the case and is due at Superior Court in Derby May 31.
Cota said Caruso was driving north on Beaver Street Saturday night when he crossed over into the southbound lane, then hit a chain link fence at the corner of Beaver Street and Myrtle Avenue before hitting the stop sign at the intersection as well.
From there, Cota said Caruso drove across Myrtle Avenue before striking the foundation of a house on the northwest corner of the intersection.
There were no injuries or other vehicles involved, Cota said, and Caruso was the only person in his vehicle.
Cota said Caruso was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol but refused a Breathalyzer test.
Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski was out of the office Monday but said via e‑mail that police are looking into Caruso’s arrest.
North Main Street Crash
Another weekend accident, on North Main Street Saturday afternoon, sent a woman to the hospital, Cota said.
A car was driving south on North Main Street about 5 p.m. Saturday when it was cut off by another car at the intersection of North Main and Fourth Streets.
The car driving south swerved to avoid the other vehicle, Cota said, and hit a fire hydrant at the intersection.
A 58-year-old woman who was standing nearby was then hit by either a piece of the car or a piece of the fire hydrant, Cota said.
The woman was transported to an area hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Cota said.
Police could not locate the car that cut off the other vehicle, which was described by witnesses as a black compact car.
